Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area: hunting and access
Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area is 292 acres of MDC land in Atchison County, 5 miles from Watson. MDC lists deer hunting here (archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed). Hunters checked 540 deer in Atchison County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: MDC's conservation area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: MDC deer harvest summaries, 2021 to 2025.
MDC conservation areasStar School Hill Prairie Conservation AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 292 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Atchison County |
| Deer harvest unit | Atchison County |
| MDC lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey and Squirrel |
| MDC area number | 8928 |
| MDC region | Northwest |
| Camping (MDC) | designated camping sites |
| Nearest towns | Watson (5 mi), Phelps City (10 mi) and Rock Port (11 mi) |
What is Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area like?
The Conservation Department purchased 129 acres in 1989. In 1994, the Department added a 160 acre tract a short distance south of the original purchase.
Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area is characterized by rugged loess hills adjacent to the Missouri River floodplain. These windblown hills were formed by prevailing westerly winds during the glacial period. Loess deposits over bedrock sometimes reach 150 to 200 feet in depth. Loess soil drains very rapidly, creating hot, dry prairie habitat that supports unique communities. Loess hill prairie communities are endangered in Missouri, and the small remnants that still exist are threatened by overgrazing, woody invasion, erosion, and homesite development. The 12-acre Loess Hill Prairie is primarily managed by the use of controlled burning and selective cutting to control the invading woody species. The prairie provides habitat for 12 plant species and two animal species on the Missouri Species of Conservation Concern Checklist. The remainder of the area is managed for a wide range...
In MDC's words, from the Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area page.
What can you hunt on Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC's page for Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area lists: Deer: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed; Turkey: archery and firearms; Squirrel.
What are the rules on Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC's standard conservation area rules (Chapter 11 of the Wildlife Code) apply; the area's rules on MDC's site list any it adds.
How many deer are taken around Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area?
Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area lies in Atchison County. Hunters checked 540 deer in Atchison County in 2025, against 575 in 2024.
| County | Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atchison County | 292 | 540 | 575 | 562 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the conservation area alone: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC's directions: From Rock Port, take Highway 275 north 12 miles to area.
Nearest towns: Watson (5 miles), Phelps City (10 miles), Rock Port (11 miles) and Tarkio (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-29 and US 275.
What other public land is near Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area?
MDC lands within 10 miles:
- Brickyard Hill Conservation Area: 2,930 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Nishnabotna Conservation Area: 2,832 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Lower Hamburg Bend Conservation Area: 2,405 acres, 5.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area
Counting Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area itself, 292 of the 25,962 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| MDC conservation areas | 292 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area?
In Atchison County, 5 miles from Watson.
Can you deer hunt on Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area?
Yes, by MDC's page: archery and firearms, antlerless permits not allowed.
How much public land is around Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area?
292 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and MDC conservation area boundaries. The closest other MDC area is Brickyard Hill Conservation Area (3.6 miles).
Get a Missouri hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Missouri included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: MDC, Star School Hill Prairie Conservation Area; MDC conservation area boundaries.
- Boundary and acres: MDC's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and MDC conservation area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: MDC deer harvest summaries (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Check MDC's rules and posted signs before you go.